Energy Delta Institute and DONG Energy enter into an associated partnership

Press release from DONG Energy sent at 01:18 PM on Friday 14.11.2008

Energy Delta Institute and DONG Energy enter into an associated partnership

he Dutch educational institute Energy Delta Institute (EDI) and DONG Energy today signed a contract, making DONG Energy an associated partner of EDI. 

The Dutch educational institute Energy Delta Institute (EDI) and DONG Energy today signed a contract, making DONG Energy an associated partner of EDI. The contract was signed by Mr Kurt Bligaard Pedersen, Executive Vice President of Energy Markets in DONG Energy, and by Mr George Verberg, President of EDI.

Sharing knowledge for training programmes within energy is an important objective of the collaboration between EDI and DONG Energy. As a partner of EDI, DONG Energy will have access to staff development and training at an international institute. By joining EDI, the Danish energy provider will also signal DONG Energy's position in the international gas market to the rest of the world. After Electrabel and Essent, DONG Energy is EDI's third associated partner.

In exchange for a financial contribution, DONG Energy will have a seat in various advisory boards of EDI's training programmes. Furthermore, DONG Energy will be able to spread its knowledge and become part of EDI's international knowledge network. In addition, associated partners contribute to the content of the various programmes. EDI coordinates research projects and organises training programmes with a focus on economic, legal, geopolitical and managerial aspects of the energy value chain. EDI cooperates closely with international academies and business partners.

Kurt Bligaard Pedersen states that he is proud of the invitation to join EDI as an associated partner: "This invitation is a clear recognition from competitors of our presence in the market, and it is an important gesture. As partners we can train our employees at an even higher level, whilst continuously being informed about current developments within the world of gas so we can be at the cutting edge of development. EDI is internationally recognised for its training programmes and employees in several of our business areas can benefit from them".

To EDI the collaboration is another important step in the next phase of its existence. According to George Verberg all parties involved in EDI will benefit from this new partnership: "Notwithstanding the present problems in the financial markets, energy remains a top priority on the international agendas. Knowledge about energy is therefore of crucial interest to all of us. With DONG Energy joining EDI we are able to again expand our knowledge network further. This first Scandinavian associated partner will without any doubt contribute considerably to EDI's effort to educate the current and future energy manager."

In addition to associated partners EDI has a group of strategic partners: N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, GasTerra B.V., OAO Gazprom, Shell, RWE and the University of Groningen.

DONG Energy is already present in the Netherlands through its Dutch sales and distribution company DONG Energy Sales B.V., which has 150,000 gas customers and 30,000 electricity customers. In 2007, DONG Energy also became part-owner of the LNG Gate Terminal in Rotterdam, from where gas can be redirected to the Dutch transmission system. Furthermore, DONG Energy is involved in gas storage projects that guarantee flexibility with regards to the Dutch market, and sends gas through the Nogat gas pipeline to the Netherlands. In 2004 the Danish continental shelf became connected to Nogat, and every year since 2005 DONG Energy has provided Holland with enough gas for 400,000 households.

About Energy Delta InstituteEDI is a cooperation between N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, GasTerra b.v., OAO Gazprom and the University of Groningen, also joined by Shell and RWE as strategic partners. Electrabel and Essent are involved as associated partners. EDI's main goal is to contribute to educating the current and future energy managers. Therefore, EDI coordinates knowledge projects and organises training programmes with a focus on economic, legal, managerial and geopolitical aspects of the energy value chain. Since its founding in 2002, EDI has trained over 1300 participants from more than 38 countries.

Contact information:

For further information, please contact:

Energy Delta Institute, Communications & PR

Pieternel Overmars

+31 (0)50 524 8308

DONG Energy,

Media Relations

Louise Münter

+45 9955 9662